Would you think its cruel???

M

misskerry

Active Member
Joined
9 February 2012
Messages
42
Location
ireland
Visit site
We took a stallion a few weeks ago, well more rescued him I think, In very bad condition. He was very skinny, bad feet and was tortured in my opinion. I think some one put a twitch on his nose and put it on to tight and never took it off so he is missing a good chunk of nose. it dosnt look very nice but doesnt effect him in anyway.
Since we got him he casturated him, fed him up and got all the usual done. the vets think there is nothing that can be none to his nose so it been left the way it is. He looks good now nice and fat and looks alot happier... We even started riding him and he is very good, great mouth, forward going, not afraid of nothing, great with the other horses (except mares when in season but he'll get over that soon). He has turned into a happy little horse.
We have tried to rehome him but no one whats to take him on because they think he is ugly with half his nose missing. So we are thinking of keeping him and use him for our trekking centre once he gets the stallion notions out of him.
Our horses are treated better then ourself and only work 3 hours max a day and have 3 months off a year.
Now my question..
If you came to a trekking centre or a riding school and one of the horses looked ugly because a part of there face of something was missing would you be upset by it and think its cruel?
Do you think we should put him to sleep because he wont get another home unless he stays with us and works (We dont have enough space for horses to hang around and do nothing for food and we need it for the working horses)..
I personal would love to keep him as he is a nice horse except for the face and I think it would be a waste to put him down. And we mite find a home for him eventually but while we wait he will have to work (he happy out to work and we are a business).
Like i said all this was done before we got him and i want him to have a second chance in life to be happy
 
If it's purely cosmetic and he has the potential to do a good job for you as a trekking pony, then keep him. You can explain to anyone who's concerned and no, it wouldn't put me off in the slightest. Good luck with him.
 
I think it would be more cruel to put down a perfectly healthy useable horse just for how it looks!

I would have thought people would be understanding if it was explained from the outset why he looked that way, and that it didn't affect his health and happiness.
 
It is just a cosmetic blemish - well done for giving him a new chance at life. If he is suitable for the trekking centre then use him for that. Looks are unimportant and once someone is riding him, they won't be able to see it anyway. It sounds like he'll be ideal. If you're bothered about customers being concerned by his looks, would a nose net cover it up?
 
Wouldn't put me off.

Whilst my horse is considered 'beautiful' by many, including me, if I fell for a 'not so good looking/had a chunk missing' horse's character then its looks wouldn't put me off.
 
Personally it wouldn't put me off. If he's perfect in every other way then it would be a massive waste to put him to sleep just because of a cosmetic thing that doesn't really affect him.

People will always ask what happened to him but surely if you explain then people will understand & if it doesn't affect him physically then it isn't cruel, he came to you like it so it's not like they can blame you for it. Unfortunately there will alway be the odd a***hole who is shallow enough to call him ugly & kids will think it's strange but everyone will come to accept that that's just him surely.
 
Holly Hocks said:
It is just a cosmetic blemish - well done for giving him a new chance at life. If he is suitable for the trekking centre then use him for that. Looks are unimportant and once someone is riding him, they won't be able to see it anyway. It sounds like he'll be ideal. If you're bothered about customers being concerned by his looks, would a nose net cover it up?
Click to expand...

Definitely, handsome is as handsome does. I would also put up a laminated sign outside his stable explaining in simple terms that he had an accident with a previous owner but that he is healthy and happy to be working. :)
 
I don't see a need to put the horse down. It's a comestic blemish. No one will mind.. It's a trekking centre after all, No one is expecting to turn up and hop onto something top class looking anyway!
 
One of the most popular horses at the RS I rode at when I was growing up was the wonderful black pony who only had one eye. I think character will outweigh traditional beauty in this case and if he does the job, then keep him and give him the life he deserves. :)
 
In my opinion horses like that do just as well at riding schools as the stunners, the have the heart string factor, why would you spend the money to geld and fix then pts for cosmetic reasons? You knew what he looked like before you gelded and would have asked yourself these questions then
 
I think as long as you explain what happened to the customers who ride him they will understand that t is just a cosmetic blemish that doesnt affect his work at your trekking centre.Cant see any reason why he should be put down if he is healthy as he is and maybe he will find a new long term home if someone rides him and likes him
 
Ahh bless him. No, I think he could be the star..everyone's a sucker for a sad story. I rescued a cat a few years ago..she's cost me a good couple of grand and has half her face missing. This is your horses second chance.. Do you have a pic?
 
I think its great his life has turned around and that hes going to have a job.
No it wouldnt be cruel to use a horse with a cosmetic blemish and id lay odds if his nature is as good as you say, itll make him very endearing to your clients
 
I would just put a permanent sign outside his stable to say he is rescued and had a rough life, then everyone will fall in love with him because they all love a happy ending, and give you the credit you deserve for rescuing him :)
 
I'd want him too!! I am a sucker for a bit of an oddbod!! If he does the job then why worry?? I would just do a poster about him with before and afters if you have any so people are aware of why he is like he is!
 
rhino said:
Definitely, handsome is as handsome does. I would also put up a laminated sign outside his stable explaining in simple terms that he had an accident with a previous owner but that he is healthy and happy to be working. :)
Click to expand...

Totally agree - good idea Rhino.:)
 
I agree with what everyone else has said, if he's happy and healthy then imo it would be cruel to put him down purely because he doesn't look perfect - I'm sure he'd be a very successful trekking pony and would have a lot of fun in his new life. I remember when I was younger and went to a riding school, the old blind pony was actually the most popular, everyone loved her and argued over who was going to groom her etc - not really the same thing but similar. I'm sure he'd go down well, and that customers would understand and not be bothered if you explained what had happened to him in the past. I think its great that he has another chance at life, well done for giving him the opportunity.
Ps - I'd want him as well!

eta;; maisie06's idea of a before & after poster sounds ideal, will show everyone what a huge difference some TLC can make!
 
Last edited:
I'd certainly want to take him home. Over the years I've ended up with horses that no one else wanted due to injuries, problems, etc and they have turned out to be absolute superstars. So what if he doesn't look like other horses. If we were all perfect then if would be a very boring world.
Embrace his unique look and love him for his personality and not his looks. He'll more than likely turn out to be the best horse you have ever had.
I'd love to see some pics of your lovely boy.
 
Thank you sooooo much for your nice replys.
My real worry is tourist not wanting to ride him due to his face for the pictures but I like the idea of a mask over it. We have had him in the yard where tourist have seen him and have asked what happened to him and we were told he was a lucky horse but its a pity he is so ugly... I am going to put through our "school for trekking ponies" where we ride him our selves for a while and see how he goes and what people will say..
 
Spotsrock said:
I'd want to take him home!
Click to expand...

And I think that when people hear his story at the centre that you would not be the only one. When I was a RI we had the ugliest horse with the worst confirmation I have ever seen, he also had the most uncomfortable unbalanced trot and some sort of cyst at the side of his ear that used to weep thick green discharge. He was a huge favourite with customers and he didn't even have a sad story, he was just an 'underdog' so people fell for him and wanted to love him.
 
if people genuinely don't want to ride him then why not ride him yourself? Free's up a horse for a customer to ride and that way you're always there to answer any questions. He sounds like a sweetheart:)
 
I have a soft spot for the 'uglies' :P
I am always drawn to the one with a missing eye, nasty scars or odd lumps and bumps. So long as it's not painful for the horse, I don't see why anything should put anyone off a good horse :)
 
I agree with the suggestions about signage. You could even make a little laminated tag and attach it to his saddle. Everyone who sees his nose will want to know what happened but won't necessarily ask; you don't want them to assume he was injured at your centre if its not the case. I would put a net on it as it if people look closely it would appear that you're covering it up which could imply guilt or shame. Use it to your advantage - it adds to his character and everyones a sucker for a pony with character!!
 
I wouldn't try to hide his blemish with a nose net, but as others have suggested I'd make it a talking point explaining his history as you don't want people thinking it happened at the centre. A laminated sheet is a great idea, and if you don't want to single him out, then each pony could have its own sheet describing them, similar to the rescue centres.

If people are still offended by his looks I'd rather not have their custom to be frank.
 
You could do up a poster about his story of being rescued, brought back to health and starting is new job! Would certainly incite curiosity amongst your clients and create a bit of buzz about him and help people overlook his nose!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top